Model year guide

1997 Cadillac Catera

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Cadillac Catera is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 6 on record.

1997 Cadillac Catera at a glance

Owner complaints189
Combined19 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1997 Cadillac Catera common problems

Owners have filed 189 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Latches/locks/linkages
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1997 Cadillac Catera MPG & running costs

Combined19 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Cadillac Catera costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,750
Fuel only$21,750
Per mile$0.29

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1997 Cadillac Catera trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl

1997 Cadillac Catera vehicles on record

1997 Cadillac Catera BaseW06VR54R3VR162162 1997 Cadillac Catera BaseW06VR54R0VR172616 1997 Cadillac Catera 1997 Cadillac Catera BaseW06VR52R0VR091893 1997 Cadillac Catera 1997 Cadillac Catera BaseW06VR54R5VR182879 1997 Cadillac Catera 1997 Cadillac Catera BaseW06VR52R7VR021243 1997 Cadillac Catera 1997 Cadillac Catera BaseW06VR52R6VR950310

Other Cadillac Catera model years

2001 2000 1999 1998

1997 Cadillac Catera — frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Cadillac Catera?

Owners have filed 189 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Cadillac Catera get?

The 1997 Cadillac Catera has a U.S. EPA estimate of 19 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.